Naturally occurring vitamin E exists in eight chemical forms (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherol and alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocotrienol) that have varying levels of biological activity.
Alpha- (or α-) tocopherol is the only form that is recognized to meet human requirements. Alpha-tocopherol (body’s main form of vitamin E) functions as an antioxidant, regulates cell signaling, influences immune function and inhibits coagulation.
Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol) is a fat soluble vitamin and potent antioxidant that is believed to be important in protecting cells from oxidative stress, regulating immune function, maintaining endothelial cell integrity and balancing normal coagulation.
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that has antioxidant properties. Vitamin E functions as a chain-breaking antioxidant that prevents the propagation of lipid per-oxidation.
Alpha-tocopherol and CoQ10 are the primary fat-soluble antioxidants in cell membranes and lipoproteins. Vitamin E protects polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) within membrane phospholipids and in plasma lipoproteins.
Vitamin E is transported in plasma in lipoproteins and serves as the most important membrane protective antioxidant and free radical scavenger in the body.
Serum concentrations of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) depend on the liver, which takes up the nutrient after the various forms are absorbed from the small intestine.
References/ Links:
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/vitamins/vitamin-e/
https://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/42358
- Deficiency may occur with malabsorption, cholestyramine, colestipol, isoniazid, orlistat, olestra and certain anti-convulsants (e.g., phenobarbital, phenytoin).
- In general, lipid peroxidation markers are elevated during vitamin E depletion and their levels can be normalized upon vitamin E repletion. However, these markers are not necessarily specific to vitamin E, since changes in intake of other antioxidants can also change the levels of these markers.
- Food sources include oils (olive, soy, corn, canola, safflower, sunflower), nuts, seeds, spinach, carrots, avocado, dark leafy greens and wheat germ.
Symptoms of a vitamin E deficiency include:
- Muscle weakness
- Slow reflexes
- Difficulty or unsteady walking
- Vision problems
Vitamin E deficiency is very rare in healthy people. Most of the time, vitamin E deficiency is caused by a condition where nutrients are not properly digested or absorbed. These include Crohn’s disease, liver disease, cystic fibrosis, and some rare genetic disorders. Vitamin E deficiency may also be caused by a very low-fat diet.
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Too much Vitamin E is rare. It can be caused by taking too many vitamins.
If not treated, excess vitamin E can lead to serious health problems, including an increased risk of stroke.
Symptoms of vitamin E excess include:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Fatigue
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11-Eicosenoic, 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, a-Hydroxybutyric Acid, AA/EPA, Alpha Linolenic, alpha-Tocopherol, Aluminum, Arachidic, Arachidonic, Arsenic, Behenic, Beta-Carotene, Cadmium, Calcium, Capric, Coenzyme Q10 (Genova), Copper, Creatinine, Dihomogamma Linolenic (Genova), Docosadienoic (Genova), Docosahexaenoic (Genova), Docosapentaenoic (Genova), Docosatetraenoic (Genova), Eicosadienoic (Genova), Eicosapentaenoic (Genova), EPA/DGLA (Genova), Gamma Linolenic (Genova), gamma-Tocopherol (Genova), Glyceric Acid, Glycolic, Heneicosanoic (Genova), Heptadecanoic (Genova), Hexacosanoic (Genova), LA/DGLA, Lauric (Genova), Lead (Genova), Lignoceric (Genova), Linoleic (Genova), Lipid Peroxides (Genova), Magnesium (Genova), Mead (Genova), Mercury (Genova), Myristic (Genova), Myristoleic (Genova), Nervonic (Genova), Nonadecanoic (Genova), Oleic (Genova), Oxalic Acid, Palmitelaidic, Palmitic (Genova), Palmitoleic (Genova), Pentadecanoic (Genova), Potassium (Genova), Selenium (Genova), Stearic (Genova), Stearic/Oleic, Total C:18 Trans, Tricosanoic (Genova), Triene/Tetraene (Genova), Vaccenic, Vitamin A (Retinol) (Genova), Zinc (Genova)
